Michael Beck

For Michael, a passion for fine jewelry and timepieces began long before Avant Jewelers. As a teenager, he immersed himself in the world of jewelry, including the opportunity to job shadow with a respected Des Moines jeweler. That early experience fostered a lasting appreciation for craftsmanship, design, and the stories that precious objects carry.

Although his professional career led him into finance and project management, his appreciation for jewelry and watches never faded. In 2019, after meeting his wife, Blair, that passion found new life. Together, they developed a shared appreciation for fine jewelry and watches that eventually lead to the founding of Avant Jewelers

While Avant is rooted in the French word for "before," the name can also reference a forward-looking perspective. Every estate piece has a story that began long before it arrived in our collection. Every piece deserves to be appreciated for both where it has been and where it is going.

Outside of Avant Jewelers, Michael’s appreciation for enduring design and precision engineering naturally extends from fine jewelry and watchmaking to the automotive world. He spends what free time he can find working on his old German cars. Which leads us to the final meaning of the word Avant - the term used by Audi to describe their estate cars.